2009 Paris
Welcome
Welcome to the 2009 SACS Musical Theatre Production of Paris by Jon English. Thank you for your interest in being part of this major challenge. This contemporary rock opera was first written in the early 1990s and the present version was revised in 2001 and further reworked in 2007/8. In fact, the Composer is assisting with our production and some pieces will receive their world premiere with our season in March 2009.
Jon English is a British born-Australian popular recording artist, performer and composer whose work is widely respected. His rock opera Paris has been recorded by some of the most celebrated and accomplished voices of our generation. However, the stage production is still relatively new and rarely performed. I believe that we will be the first school in Sydney and only one of three in Australasia to attempt it. After our very successful seasons of Les Miserables (2007) and Guys and Dolls (2008) we believe that we are ready for the challenge of a show of this magnitude. We would like to put the work and ourselves on the map.
The Story
Paris tells the epic story of the Trojan War and the fatal love between Paris, Prince of Troy, and Helen, Queen of Sparta. It sets the stories of Homer’s Iliad to a catchy orchestrated rock music score. The narrative commences in Troy where the goddesses Aphrodite, Athena and Hera have tried to lure young Paris into granting his favourite gift of a golden apple. Paris chooses Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Wild and headstrong, Paris is sent on a journey to Sparta as an ambassador for King Priam’s court. After a shipwreck, he is rescued by the ravishingly beautiful Queen of Sparta whom he mistakes for the goddess Aphrodite. The two fall in love with each other and leave Sparta, even though Helen is already married to King Menelaus. The Greeks, however, already had begun to plan the business of an invasion of Troy and Agamemnon of Mycenae uses the abduction and the love affair to provoke his war. So Helen is “the face that launched a thousand ships”.
The invasion of Troy commences a ten year conflict and produces the legends of heroes like Hector, Achilles, Ulysses (more accurately Odysseus), Menelaus, Ajax and Cassandra. The love affair of Helen and Paris occurs against the backdrop of death and battle and the epic fights between Hector and Achilles and the clever trickery of Ulysses’ “Trojan Horse”, which finally proves to be the demise of Troy. The show ends with the death of Paris and the empty hope sung by the Chorus that despite the destruction and chaos that this game amongst the gods has unleashed there is still the dream that “Love Has Power”.
Cast Rehearsals
Production Schedule
How can I Be Involved In Paris 2009 Without Bing A Cast Member?
You can be involved in Paris in many ways. If you would like to be apart of any group listed below, please be sure to let Ms Calvi know (located in the Head of School’s Office, Level 6). Please look out for Paris notices via the screens, Andrean Weekly and Head of School Cathedral Gatherings.
- Orchestra
- Tech Crew – (Sound and Lighting Crew)
- Costume and Props (attend Costume Bees – dates TBA)
- Make Up/Hair Team
- Set Design Crew (attend Set Building Bees – dates TBA)
- Advertising – Distribution of flyers
- Assistants on VIP Nights
All students involved will receive a certificate for their participation.
Camp and Costume Levy
If you are chosen as a Cast Member, there will be additional fees to cover costs such as:
- Camp (19 to 22 January 2009) – Elanora Conference Centre ($200.00)
- Costume Levy (depending on role and involvement)
- $30.00 t-shirt (optional for anyone)
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Ms Calvi in the Head of School’s Office on 02 9286 9588 or via email acalvi@sacs.nsw.edu.au.
On with the show – let’s have a terrific time and carve out something epic in Sydney.
Mr Phillip Heath
Director / Head of School
